An associate of the Asian Boyz gang, Richard Nguyen, also known as “Cheese” and “Cheeseburger,” was convicted by a federal jury for his involvement in distributing homemade methamphetamine pills disguised as Adderall. The conviction followed a five-day trial in Boston.
Nguyen, 30, from Lowell, was found guilty on two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count involving 50 grams or more. His sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2026. He was arrested and charged in January 2025.
The investigation into the Asian Boyz gang began in 2021 to address the manufacturing and sale of large amounts of methamphetamine pills affecting Lowell. Authorities reported that Nguyen participated in a network that sold thousands of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine. Between March 2022 and January 2025, Nguyen and others sold these counterfeit pills to undercover officers and cooperating witnesses on at least 47 occasions.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that between January and April 2024, Nguyen sold counterfeit Adderall pills to a cooperating witness at least three times. Each transaction took place at his home’s back porch, which was covered with a tarp and accessible only via a narrow alleyway. Negotiations were conducted through an Instagram account named “Cheese.” During these deals, he sold approximately 1,000 pills during the first meeting and about 2,000 pills each during the subsequent two meetings.
Regarding pricing discussions with the witness, Nguyen explained: “he could only get the pills for $0.70 per pill, and that he had to ‘make [his] dollar.'”
The charge for distributing or possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine carries a minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment, supervised release ranging from five years to life, and fines up to $10 million. The charge involving 50 grams or more carries at least five years up to forty years in prison, four years up to lifetime supervised release, and fines up to $5 million. Sentencing will be determined by a federal judge based on established guidelines.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division; and Superintendent Greg C. Hudon of the Lowell Police Department. Assistance came from Massachusetts State Police as well as police departments from Billerica, Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover, and Salem. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred M. Wyshak III and Brendan D. O’Shea are prosecuting.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together law enforcement agencies at all levels with communities they serve in order to reduce violent crime—including gun violence—and increase public safety for everyone (https://www.justice.gov/PSN). In May 2021, the Department launched an updated strategy focused on building community trust and legitimacy; supporting organizations working against violence; setting targeted enforcement priorities; and measuring results.
The case was also investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program (Justice.gov/OCDETF), which aims to dismantle major criminal organizations using intelligence-driven strategies coordinated across multiple agencies.
